Caelan neared her, his sword pointing at her neck in a matter of seconds.
Reece didn’t move but stood frozen in fear by the swift action.
“Nightfall does not stay hidden because its people are weak. It remains hidden because we are strong. Some of our best carry out stealth missions you could not fathom,” he said, returning the blade to its sheath and turning his attention to the group. “However, regardless of your path here at Nightfall, all of you arehere seeking power in some form, and with that power comes responsibility—a responsibility to defend yourself. Many would see this place destroyed or take what is ours. They may capture you, torture you, and it will test every limit you have. Your goal is to not get captured,” he said.
“What do you mean we have enemies?” Eli asked, his voice an octave higher than usual.
Caelan turned his icy blue gaze on Eli. “To exist is to have enemies.”
He turned sharply, his hands behind his back. “Now. We aren’t going to waste anymore time—form pairs. We will not waste time with basic drills. Recruits are not chosen without basic fighting skills. Even more, your group was chosen because you are beyond that. Today, we spar.”
Isabella and I glanced at one another. She gave me a swift nod.
“You two,” he called, pointing at Isabella and me. “Choose your weapons.”
My muscles tensed, squeezing adrenaline through my veins. The weapons racks held several styles of swords, some of which I didn’t recognize. All were in mint condition. I moved from one sword to the next, taking in their exquisite detail. I stopped. This one was the one: a sabre with a long, thin steel blade, a slim hilt, and minimal handguard. Exactly my style. It had a bright emerald set into the hilt's pommel. My eyes narrowed as I scanned the blade. Touching the edge with my finger, a thin line of red appeared, and my gaze flicked to the instructor’s.
“We do not train with dull weapons,” he said. “I will step in should the need arise.”
My hands shook as I held the blade, unsure if I could spar with a sharp blade against Isabella.
“Come on, Anna,” she called, already at the center of the mat. She had a small smirk, and a wave of calm came over me.
This was Isabella. We didn’t have to try to take each other out.
I walked to the center of the mat, the sword hilt in my grasp.
“Stances,” Caelan called.
There was an eerie silence in the hall. I sensed others watching on the upper mezzanine level, but I kept my attention fixed on Isabella. I loosened my knees, bending them, and moved my right foot forward. I held the sword in my right hand in a low position, the blade rising diagonally in the air. As Derrick taught me, my free hand was forward and to my side.
“Either opponent may surrender at any time by saying, “I yield” or if you cannot speak, by laying down your weapon. Being unable to move or being rendered unconscious also ends the match. Remember, grappling and close combat is permitted in Raicanya,” Caelan said. “Begin!”
My body felt weightless in the stance I was most comfortable in. My bracers were metal-plated and sufficient to block a blade if needed. I kept Isabella in sight, her face no longer smiling but focused and unreadable. She chose a similar blade to my own. My heart rate slowed to a steady rhythm, and my sight was only for her. I heard her breathing. She took quick breaths, perhaps nervous. I held my blade low and to the side, waiting for her to make the first move.
“Remember, your weapon is an extension of self—do not let your opponent disarm you,” Caelan said, but he sounded far away.
Derrick was in my mind.
Feel your blade.
And I could. It was like it had been missing all this time.
Isabella moved. She lunged, her sword clashing loudly with mine. I parried, the sound of the metal screeching throughout the room as I forced her to stagger back. I immediately took the opening and delivered a powerful side kick. Isabella faltered.I quickly flourished my blade and reset into my defensive position.
She didn’t fall as I expected, quickly resuming her stance. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but didn’t wait for her to recuperate.
We sparred, both of us watching, learning, testing our own abilities while gathering the skill of the other. My pulse quickened, and excitement rushed unbound within me. An opponent with training, someone on equal footing with me; I’d never had that before. Nor had I ever been allowed to use all my skills. The room was silent, except for the clashing of steel, as the others watched with intent, no doubt absorbing our styles, our tactics.
I rushed her, feigning a frontal attack and quickly sidestepped at the last moment, spinning and snapping my blade within inches of her neck. At the same time, I used the metal of my bracer to block her blade.
“Damn, Anna,” she muttered, her breathing labored as she gave me an annoyed smirk.
“I yield,” she called.
We each took a step back and bowed.
“Nicely done, both of you,” Caelan said. “Anna, you will be advancing to the next round.”
